Sick Workers Cause 20 Percent of All Foodborne Illnesses

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If you're not feeling so hot after eating at your local restaurant, it might not be the food that originates the problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about one-fifth of all foodborne illnesses can be linked to a sick food worker who handled the food. Why doesn't that person stay at home instead of spreading his or her germs on your meal, you ask? Likely because that worker doesn't have paid sick days.

NPR reports that the Food Chain Workers Alliance claims that "more than half of all food workers come to work sick because they can't afford to take a day off." Many kitchen staff get paid below minimum wage and have no health benefits or paid sick days. According to NPR, "Only 21 percent of the workers surveyed said they could take a paid sick day."

Of the 47.8 million cases of foodborne illnesses, over 9 million can be traced back to unhealthy workers. in recent years, Hepatitis A outbreaks have occurred in fast casual dining establishments in states across the country. Reports from Subway, Taco Bell, Friendly's, McDonald's, Olive Garden, and Chipotle have all made the list.

The Food Chain Worker's Alliance is hoping that foodservice operators and retailers offer higher pay and sick days to incentivize workers to stay home. However, according to NPR, the National Restaurant Association is opposed. They believe the system that's in place should make it easy for workers to change their schedules. Scott DeFife, executive vice president for Policy & Government Affairs at the National Restaurant Association, said, "Restaurants typically offer flexible work schedules and hours that best meet the needs of their workplace and their employees, with the ability to switch or pick up shifts."

What do you think? Should restaurants be mandated to offer sick days? Should they increase wages for workers?